What is Mechanical engineering: Definition and 549 Discussions

Mechanical engineering is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems. It is one of the oldest and broadest of the engineering branches.Mechanical engineering combines creativity, knowledge and analytical tools to complete the difficult task of shaping an idea into reality.
The mechanical engineering field requires an understanding of core areas including mechanics, dynamics, thermodynamics, materials science, structural analysis, and electricity. In addition to these core principles, mechanical engineers use tools such as computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and product lifecycle management to design and analyze manufacturing plants, industrial equipment and machinery, heating and cooling systems, transport systems, aircraft, watercraft, robotics, medical devices, weapons, and others. It is the branch of engineering that involves the design, production, and operation of machinery.Mechanical engineering emerged as a field during the Industrial Revolution in Europe in the 18th century; however, its development can be traced back several thousand years around the world. In the 19th century, developments in physics led to the development of mechanical engineering science. The field has continually evolved to incorporate advancements; today mechanical engineers are pursuing developments in such areas as composites, mechatronics, and nanotechnology. It also overlaps with aerospace engineering, metallurgical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering, and other engineering disciplines to varying amounts. Mechanical engineers may also work in the field of biomedical engineering, specifically with biomechanics, transport phenomena, biomechatronics, bionanotechnology, and modelling of biological systems.

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  1. C

    Calculating the force from a pump + nozzle system

    I am attempting to calculate the force (in KgF) of a water pump + nozzle system. I have the pump curve (head vs. flow rate) for the pump, the diameter of the connection hose (2 inches) and the nozzle diameter (1 inch). The connection hose between the pump and nozzle is very short (approx 10 cm)...
  2. M

    Calculating Shear Force between a Moving Film and a Cylinder

    If I have a catheter covered in a thin sheathe (think a cylinder, covered by a thin plastic film), how should I go about calculating the shear force it takes to unsheathe the catheter from the sheath (no torque here, just the catheter moving in and out)? I've thought about strain gauges (but...
  3. V

    EE or ME -- which do you find more difficult?

    I seem to be in a minority for thinking that mechanical engineering is more difficult than electrical engineering. Difficult for me, I mean. To me, mechanical engineering is more difficult largely because in mechanics your intuition and common sense are often trying to mislead you. With...
  4. C

    How do I gain creative experience in engineering?

    Summary: (undergrad student) What is something I can do this summer to develop my creative instinct in engineering? Hey everyone! I am currently an undergrad freshman studying mechanical engineering. I love the courses and I understand the scientific concepts, but I know that engineering is a...
  5. G

    Pendulum Hammer Impact Force Calculation

    Hi all, I'm a bit embarrassed but I'm extremely rusty with a lot of engineering principles. I've mainly been working in automation and controls within a manufacturing setting and have not done anything like this in ages. Anyways, I have a problem I need to solve and I need to determine the...
  6. Z

    Engineering Senior mechanical engineering student With a 3.5 GPA but I really hate it

    Hello guys, Long story short i am a senior mechanical engineering student (graduating next year). But i do not like my major, at first i did not matter to me what i choose or what i study. i did not know what i like and mechanical engineering seemed a good option to me in terms of good job...
  7. M

    Best Resource for Mechanical Engineering Assignments?

    Greetings everyone, UK user here, I'm currently studying for my HNC Mechanical Engineering. Been lurking in the background for a while - this website has definitely got me out of a few tight spots with assignments! Anyway, cheers guys and look forward to getting to know some of you.
  8. E

    Engineering How proficient do i need to be in CAD for a mechanical engineering internship?

    How proficient in cad should someone who is applying for mechanical engineering internship be? I am teaching myself solidworks and i would like to have a benchmark to progress towards so when I began applying for a mechanical engineering internship in the near future i will feel prepared.
  9. M

    Mechanical engineering - Stress concentration

    1. In my materials science's exam, I had the following question: What would be the maximum force F to cause failure in a block that has been drilled at two place? See following drawing: (Lame paint skills, I know..) 2. Homework Equations 1) D/W 2) σ = F/S The Attempt at a Solution 1)First...
  10. C

    Automotive Mechanism to Reverse Rotating Axle with Friction: Ideas Needed

    Hello, for my current physics-project i am searching a mechanism: When there is to much friction on a rotating axle, it should reverse the direction and go on, till the mechanism starts all over again. I would love to solve this with pure mechanical parts, like springs gears etc... If you have...
  11. Ethan Klein

    Mechanical Engineering (BS) Vs. Pursuing Physics PhD

    Hello everyone. Currently, I am an undergraduate sophomore planning to study physics and in the process of transferring from community college to University. I am seeking advice on deciding between pursuing a mechanical engineering degree (BS) or a PhD in physics. My journey so far has taken...
  12. K

    Engineering Getting Bored of my Engineering job

    My apologies if the question is in the wrong forum or section. Anyway, I'm a mechanical engineer with 2 years of work experience and have just recently moved to a new company. And just like in my previous job, fatigue seems to be kicking in. The job is basically a mountain of documentation...
  13. R

    Balancing a shaft using mrL and mr vectors

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Trigonometry equations, p=m/v, A = pi * d^2 / 4 The Attempt at a Solution i) mass calculated is 9.318kg at 150° from A ii) diameter = 0.235m I apologize for the messy working, I am just wondering if I have followed the correct procedure or not...
  14. D

    Engineering PhD in Mechanical Engineering, CC teaching?

    I am almost finished the final drafts of my dissertation, and now I am wondering what to do next. It seems that all jobs at universities want someone to "establish a thriving research program" or the like. That's not me, so a job at a university is out. I very much want to teach, but much...
  15. E

    Engineering Recommendations for Books [HNC in mech eng]

    Hi Everyone, I'm currently working toward a HNC in Mechanical Engineering and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for books to help me out. Ideally what I would like is something that actually breaks the formulas down to their components and explains everything in plain English. If...
  16. D

    Programs Change of Major from Mechanical Engineering to Material Science

    Hello guys, I received an admit to grad school for Mechanical Engineering, where my focus was initially Thermo-Fluids . I've also enquired about the Material Science department at the University(in the USA), and they are willing to let me transfer to the Material Science department provided I...
  17. V

    Engineering What jobs are available for mechanical engineering freshers?

    I am mechanical engineer fresher. I want to know what are job opportunities for fresher in mechanical engineer.
  18. B

    How to calculate the torque for a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT)

    For my senior design project we are designing a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) and trying to increase efficiency by adding flexible parts to the blades. We are currently in the process of ordering a motor/generator where we can test our new model against the same model but with standard...
  19. NimzCr7

    Rising of a liquid during rotataion in a cylinder

    Homework Statement [/B] A 25-cm-diameter, 100-cm-high cylindrical container, (as shown), is partially filled with 75-cm-high liquid (density = 900 kg/m3). Determine the rotational speed at which the liquid will start spilling. Calculate the gauge pressure at the centre of the bottom of the tank...
  20. E

    Confusion about relation of entropy with temperature.

    Why can sometimes entropy remain constant with increase of temperature and vice versa?Entropy implies transfer of heat and heat must increase with temperature.I am unable to intuitively understand.
  21. tito agiffaz efata

    Steam heating system transfers heat to a room (Thermodynamics)

    Homework Statement A steam heating system is used in winter season, The radiator of a steam heating system has a volume of 25 liters and is filled with superheated water vapor at 200 kPa and 200C. At this moment both the inlet and the exit valves to the radiator are closed. After a while it is...
  22. claraberner

    Mohr's Circle does y-axis = max strain or max strain/2?

    This isn't a problem assignment per-say, but for a lab calculation. In my mechanics of material's class, we learned that the radius of Mohr's circle is the maximum strain, but now in my application lab-based class, the video is saying the radius is equal to the maximum strain divided by 2. So...
  23. Sarah Jones

    Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering for Aerospace?

    Hello, I am currently a senior in high school, I will be attending college in the fall of 2018 to pursue a career in Aerospace Engineering. I am a bit worried about a few things in this field. I am not sure if I need to get a degree in Civil Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, when I look on...
  24. M

    Going back to school for Mechanical Engineering

    Hello Everyone, I am debating on going to college for mechanical engineering. I am currently 21 years old working as a technician for a Toyota dealership making 15 dollars an hour(averaging 80 hours a week). I went to school for automotive mechanics at a tech school(20k in student loans, still...
  25. Beamer21dc

    Engineering I want out of Mechanical Engineering

    Hi, First, let me tell you about myself: 1.) I have a Bachelors degree in Engineering Physics with a mechanical focus. 2.) I have been working as a mechanical engineer for 3 years at 3 different places. 3.) My work mostly consists of product design, detailed drawings and working in a machine...
  26. thepikminman

    Fluid Mechanics - Why? How? Why?

    Hi, I've been studying fluid mechanics for my mech. engineering degree for the past few months. Unlike my other subjects (mechanical analysis, thermodynamics, automated systems, mechanical vibrations), I can't seem to grasp the problem-solving technique. The annoying thing is, I find the...
  27. A

    How to calculate the force to cut a log?

    Good morning guys, So i want to make mechanism to cut log with diameter 5 cm and 120 cm length. So how i can calculate the force to cut this log perpendicular and paralel. What is tbe formula i can use? And how i can determine the saw thickness and rpm needed to cut this log? Thanks guys for...
  28. E

    Molecular Dynamics Simulation - How Do You Find Parameters?

    Hi all, I'm doing a bit of material science research at my university. I'm running molecular dynamics simulation programs like Lammps and Amber as part of it, and I'm pretty new to the whole thing (just like I'm pretty new to this forum). I'd like to ask, has anyone here used Amber to find their...
  29. thepikminman

    Vibrations - Modeling system, equation of motion

    Vibrations - Modelling system, equation of motion Hi, In the first question (question 4) in the attached file, how would you go about modelling the system and finding the equation of motion? All those masses are confusing me, I don't even know where to start. I don't know whether the angle...
  30. A

    Struggling In Mechanical Engineering School Need Advice/Help

    I am currently about half done with my degree for a bs in Mechanical engineering from U of M. I transferred from a community college and I took all of my gen eds there like the English, history, econ, philosophy. I am in my second semester and am struggling with the physics and math mainly. I...
  31. G

    Mechanical Engineering Thesis Topic Suggestion

    Hi, I study Applied Mechanics and I'm in the last year of my study. I try to find some interesting topic for my master's thesis that will be at least a little innovative. Topics offered by my university are unfortunately quite usual and "old-fashioned". And I want to do something a little bit...
  32. D

    Coupling two mechanical pieces for a telescope mount

    Hello PF community! Quick introduction: I'm a fresh-out-university mechanical engineer working on a telescope altitude-azimuth mount hobby project. The mount will be designed using rotary platforms (powered by internal motors) to move the mount structure in the altitude and azimuth directions...
  33. stargateengineer

    Programs Master's vs. Bachelor's in mechanical engineering?

    Hello, I'd like to know about the master's in mechanical engineering, what exactly sets it apart from the bachelor's? What makes it a more advanced level? Is it that students are instructed in more complex, sophisticated math, physics, engineering techniques? How many years in addition to the...
  34. V

    Engineering Getting started late - how do I catch up? (Mechanical Engineering)

    Hi guys, I am looking to get a degree in mechanical engineering and eventually work in the defence industry (I am in Australia but would like to move to the US eventually). The problem is that I am 25 and so would be going down this path late due to getting an unrelated degree previously (B.Com...
  35. Kaura

    How Can I Best Prepare for Challenging Sophomore Mechanical Engineering Courses?

    Sophomore Intended Mechanical Engineering here. I have a pretty nice schedule this time around, all STEM classes. Most are easy but I have Differential Equations, Physics II, and Statics which are the hard ones. I have a lot of free time to study over the next few weeks and wanted to try to...
  36. ramzerimar

    Engineering Is a Career in Software an Option for Mechanical Engineers?

    I'm at the third year of my MechE course, and in those three years I've developed a keen interest in software/coding. I still like my degree, things like fluid dynamics/aerodynamics fascinate me, but more and more I see myself working with software and coding. One of the things that I like about...
  37. ramzerimar

    Courses Is CFD fluid mechanics + computer science?

    I'm having fluid dynamics classes right now and I'm enjoying it very much (much more than my solid mechanics classes, by the way). Also, I do like programming and computer science, and CFD looks like a very interesting field. I'm developing a real interest for it. One question for those who are...
  38. rfranceschetti

    Engineering The relationship of a mechanical engineer with electricity

    Hi all, I have in mind that an engineering project tends to be quite "integrated", as in, it envolves different engineers. So, for instance, in order to build an aircraft, you need not only a mechanical engineer, but also an EE, Materials, managers, etc etc. So lots of teamwork. However, I'd...
  39. P

    Schools Community College vs. University for Mechanical Engineering

    Hia! I was wondering about the benefits of different schools. I will be starting school at a four-year university to pursue a bachelor's in mechanical engineering, and am concerned about going into debt. I could instead go to community college and then transfer, but I'm worried that I will not...
  40. yecko

    Engineering Mechanical engineering or Aerospace engineer

    I am a year one student who is going to promote to year 2 in September, and I am required to choose between Mechanical engineering or Aerospace engineer within these few days (i just received the urgent message...) I believe I am better in memorization and language skill than mathematics...
  41. S

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering - Getting Your Foot In The Door

    Hello, I'm an undergraduate student working to earn my Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering. I was wondering whether other mechanical engineers could share their stories about their forst engineering job and how they got it. My main issue is, surprisingly, that I have absolutely no real life...
  42. S

    How does adding material affect stress in FEA results?

    Hello, I have a fairly simple question but I guess I am having a hard time trying to understand it. I have a plastic connection of two different geometries (see attachment). When I hold end of the front portion (of the uniform diameter) and apply torque at the bigger cylinder geometry, there...
  43. Sanchayan Ghosh

    How to further metrology study from machine design approach?

    Hello, I have metrology in my 4 semester in Bachelor's of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering. However, the books that we get (Engineering Metrology, R.K Jain,) give only a brief principle of how the instruments work. I want to further my study of this subject with an intention to design...
  44. D

    Engineering Chemical vs Mechanical Engineering

    I am a high school senior caught between these two fields. they both seem very exciting and I am not sure which would be better suited for my interests. In high school, my favorite subjects have been Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science. I am interested in working to develop: -more...
  45. Amr Elsayed

    Engineering Should I major in physics or mechanical engineering?

    I'm an international student and I'm going to attend a U.S. college this fall, and in order to decide which college I should pick, I have to make my decision whether or not I would like to major in engineering because the college that I want to attend doesn't have engineering, while the other...
  46. Septenary

    Engineering Mechanical Engineering with no maths?

    I'm 19 and I have a passion for cars. I'm thinking about pursuing a mechanical engineering degree & possibly creating a company in the future. There's one problem though; I didn't take algebra 2 or any maths after that (I had consumer math in hs). Is the math in mechanical engineering advanced...
  47. M

    Engineering Masters in mechanical engineering after a bachelor in NE

    Hi, is it logicial to get a masters in mechanical engineering after a bachelor of nuclear engineering ? is that going to give more options when it comes to applying for jobs ? expanding opportunities ?
  48. B

    Can someone explain the theory of impact of jets?

    So I did this lab on momentum on jets and the theory is that "a force is applied on the plate due to change of momentum" the jet both impacted on a flat plate and on a hemispherical plate; now i understand that the greater the angle of deflection of the water jet, the greater the change of...
  49. Connor

    Engineering Best cities for mechanical engineering

    I'm a 21 year old college student studying mechanical engineering. I currently live in South Carolina and I'm looking at other states to move to after graduation. I was wondering what are some good states/cities to go to for mechanical engineering?
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